Forsyth County Man Charged in Multi-county Identity Theft Scheme Involving Verizon Retail Stores

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A man accused of using a false identity to gain employment at a Verizon Wireless authorized retailer and stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise is now facing multiple felony charges in Forsyth County, according to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO).

Investigators say the case began in July, when Donald Carroll applied for a job at a Verizon retailer using a Georgia driver’s license under another person’s name. Several months later, Verizon notified the store that it had received complaints from individuals who were not Verizon customers but reported that accounts had been opened in their names and charged for phones, tablets, and other devices.

An internal investigation by Verizon led back to the false identity Carroll allegedly used during the hiring process. According to FCSO, Carroll worked at locations in both Forsyth and Gwinnett counties, and the fraudulent activity occurred in both jurisdictions.

As Forsyth County detectives continued their investigation, Carroll was arrested in Gwinnett County on related charges. Forsyth County later secured warrants of its own.

On November 18, Forsyth County obtained warrants for six counts of felony theft by taking involving identity fraud, two counts of felony theft by taking, and one count of misdemeanor theft by taking. FCSO noted that deputies did not pursue an additional charge related to the forged driver’s license because Gwinnett County had already charged him for that offense.

Deputies allege that Carroll stole approximately $12,000 in Verizon merchandise.

On November 21, Carroll was transferred from the DeKalb County Jail to the Forsyth County Jail, where he is being held on a $104,310 bond.